Vinyl pressings
by Bonnie Tyler · 1978
It's A Heartache was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 10 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
AFL1-2821A-1 I A3ISide A runout, variant 1
AFL1-2821B-1 I A1CSide B runout, variant 1
AFL1-2821A-1 I A1FSide A runout, variant 2
AFL1-2821B-1 I A1FSide B runout, variant 2
AFL1-2821A-2A (Variant 2)
AFL1-2821B-2B (Variant 2)
AFL1-2821A-1A
AFL1-2821B-3B
AFL1-2821A-1 I⃫ A6Side A / stamped
AFL1-2821B-1 I⃫ W A7Side B / stamped
AFL1-2821-ASide A label
AFL1-2821-BSide B label
AFL1-2821-A TXSide A runout, variant 1
AFL1-2821-B TXSide B runout, variant 1
AFL1-2821-A-2 TG.Side A runout, variant 2
AFL1-2821-B TXSide B runout, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | RCA Victor AVS-4590First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.7080First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL1-2821First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA KYLI-0510LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Colombia | RCA Victor 05(0131)01583First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA RVP-6297First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA RVP-6297First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | RCA Victor MILS-4363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Korea | RCA Victor JRPL-3253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Taiwan | Pop MH-7332LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1978 | US | RCA Victor AFL1-2821First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | RCA Victor AFL1-2821First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | RCA Victor AFL1-2821First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Venezuela | RCA Victor LPVS-1737First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSRCA 70887 / RCA Victor AFL1-2821First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | RCA RPL-2121LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | South Korea | Seoul Records SRPR-027LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA KYLI-0510 / RCA KYL1-0510LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Turkey | RCA Victor AFL1-2821 / RCA Victor 1028LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | RCA Victor AYL1-4110LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor AFL1-2821LP, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | LP, Picture Disc, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
24 vinyl pressings of It's A Heartache are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor AFL1-2821.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-2821, AVS-4590, 104.7080, 05(0131)01583) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL1-2821A-1 I A3I and AFL1-2821B-1 I A1C. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
